The Islanders are tied for the fewest goals in the NHL and their power play has been woefully unproductive, and coach Scott Gordon has an explanation why goals have been so hard to come by for his team.

“We’ve lost a little bit of the edge to our game and the tenacity that we had,” Gordon said. “The pace we played at, I think, has been lost a little bit because there’s been a lot of games. We’ve gotta find a way to bring the energy we had earlier in the year.”

The coach hopes that the return of team captain Doug Weight, expected to be tonight when the Islanders visit Ottawa (7:00, MSG Plus, WMJC [94.3 FM]), will help.

“We’re fighting to stay alive right now,” Weight said after he practiced yesterday. He hasn’t played since Nov. 6 because of a shoulder injury. “I’ll bring whatever experience I have on the ice and the bench.”

The 38-year-old Weight, who didn’t have a goal in his 11 games this season, said he believes he can help.

“There’s a lot of ups and downs in a long schedule and it always helps to get some fresh meat back in the lineup,” Weight said. “I want to play with some emotion and with the puck on my stick like I’ve done my whole career.”

But he and Gordon have realistic expectations.

“Two months is two months,” Weight said. “But I’m ready to do whatever [Gordon] needs me to do, left wing, right wing, center.”

“He hasn’t practiced a whole lot, so you can’t put too much emphasis on his game,” Gordon said. “He’s a great puck distributor . . . and has a great demeanor. You can’t play as long as he has and not have enthusiasm. That’s a welcome element to the locker room.”

John Tavares said he is especially pleased to have Weight potentially back on the power play.

“What he sees from back there, it makes it easier for everybody,” Tavares said.

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Mark Streit was named to the Swiss Olympic team. . . . Rick DiPietro practiced again, but will not travel to Ottawa. Instead, he will practice with Bridgeport today and then is scheduled to play with the Sound Tigers at some point over the weekend.